European Middle Ages
Section 1: Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
Many Germanic kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire are reunited under Charlemagne’s empire
Invasions of Western Europe
 Effects of Constant Invasions and Warfare
o Germanic invaders overrun western Roman Empire in 400s
o Fighting disrupts trade and government; people abandon cities
o Marks the beginning of the Middle Age – period from 500 to 1500
 The Decline of Learning
o As cities are abandoned, level of learning declines
o Knowledge of Greek language and culture is almost completely lost
 Loss of a Common Language
o Introduction of German language changes Latin; dialects develop (French and Spanish)
Germanic Kingdoms Emerge
 Years of Upheaval Between 400 and 600
o Germanic kingdoms replace Roman provinces
o Continual wars change borders between kingdoms
o The Church provides order and security
 The Concept of Government Changes
o Germans held together by family ties and loyalty, not government
o Small communities are governed by unwritten rules and traditions
o Germanic warriors pledge loyalty to their chief; live in lord’s hall
 Clovis Rules the Franks
o Germanic people called Franks hold power in Roman province of Gaul
o Clovis, leader of the Franks, converts to Christianity in 496
o Leads warriors against other Germanic tribes
o Unites Franks into one kingdom with Church’s help by 511
Germans Adopt Christianity
 How the Church Spread
o Frankish rulers convert Germanic peoples to Christianity
o Missionaries travel to convert Germanic and Celtic groups
 Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts
o Church builds monasteries – where monks live to study and serve God
o Italian monk, Benedict, writes rules that govern monastic life
o His sister Scholastica adapts rules for nuns living in convents
o Monks establish schools, preserve learning through libraries
 Papal power Expands Under Gregory I
o In 590, Gregory I, also called Gregory the Great, becomes pope
o Under Gregory, church becomes secular – a political power
o Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman government
o Uses Church money to raise armies, care for poor, negotiate treaties
o Establishes a Christendom – churchly kingdom fanning out from Rome
An Empire Evolves
 Europe’s Kingdoms
o The Franks control largest and strongest of Europe’s many kingdoms
o By 511, Frankish rule extends over what is now France

Charles Martel Emerges
o Most powerful official in kingdom is major domo – mayor of the palace
o In 719, major domo Charles Martel becomes more powerful than the king
o Defeats Muslims from Spain at Tours in 732; becomes a Christian hero
o Son, Pepin, begins Carolingian Dynasty – family that ruled 751-987
Charlemagne Becomes Emperor
 Charlemagne Leads a Revival
o Charlemagne limits noble’s power by governing through royal agents
o Encourages learning and orders monasteries to open schools
 Charlemagne’s Heirs
o Charlemagne dies in 814; his son, Louis the Pious, rules poorly
o Louis’s 3 grandsons fight for the control of empire
o In 843 they divide empire into three kingdoms; sign Treaty of Verdun
Section 2: Feudalism in Europe
Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in
Europe
Invaders Attack Western Europe
 The Vikings Invade from the North
o Warlike Vikings raid Europe from Scandinavia – Denmark, Norway, Sweden
o Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland
o Eventually, many Vikings adopt Christianity and become farmers
 Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South
o Magyars (Hungarian nomads) invade western Europe in late 800s
o Muslims strike north from Africa, attacking through Italy and Spain
o Vikings, Magyar, Muslim invasions cause widespread disorder, suffering
A New Social Order: Feudalism
 Feudalism structures society
o 850 to 950, feudalism emerges – political system based on land control
o A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services
o Vassals – people who receive fiefs – become powerful landholders
 Feudal Pyramid
o Power in feudal system much like a pyramid, with king at the top
o Kings served by nobles who are served by knights; peasants at bottom
o Knights – horseman – defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs
 Social Classes are well defined
o Medieval feudal system classifies people into 3 social groups
 Those who fight: nobles and knights
 Those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church
 Those who work: peasants
o Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasants
o Most peasants are serfs – people lawfully bound to place of birth
o Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce belongs to their lord
Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
 The Lord’s Estate
o The lord’s estate, a manor, has in economic system (manor system)


o Serfs and free peasants maintain the lord’s estate, give grain
o The lord provides housing, farmland, protection from bandits
A Self-Contained World
o Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village
o Manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self-sufficient
The Harshness of Manor Life
o Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest
o Tithe – a church tax – is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income
o Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds
o Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family
o Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years
o Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan
Section 3: The Age of Chivalry
The code of chivalry for knights glorifies combat and romantic love.
Knights: Warriors on Horseback
 The Technology of Warfare Changes
o Leather saddle and stirrups enable knights to handle heavy weapons
o In 700s, mounted knights become most important part of an army
 The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society
o By 1000s, western Europe is a battleground of warring nobles
o Feudal lords raise private armies of knights
o Knights rewarded with land; provides income needed for weapons
o Knights other activities help train them for combat
Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry
 The Code of Chivalry
o By 1100s knights obey code of chivalry – a set of ideals on how to act
o They are to protect the weak and poor; serve feudal lord, God, chose lady
 A Knight’s Training
o Boys begin to train for knighthood at age 7; usually knighted at 21
o Knights gain experience in local wars and tournaments – mock battles
 Brutal Reality of Warfare
o Castles are huge fortresses where lords live
o Attacking armies use wide range of strategies and weapons
The Literature of Chivalry
 Epic Poetry
o Epic poems recount a hero’s deeds and adventures
o The Song of Roland is about Charlemagne’s knights fighting Muslims
 Love Poems and Songs
o Knights duties to ladies are as important as those to their lords
o Troubadours – traveling poet-musicians – write and sing short verses
o Most celebrated woman of the age is Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204)
o Eleanor’s son, Richard the Lion-Hearted, also wrote songs and poems
Women’s Role in Feudal Society
 Status of Women
o According to the Church and feudal society, women are inferior to men


Noblewomen
o Can inherit land, defend castle, send knights to war on lord’s request
o Usually confined to activities of the home or convent
Peasant Women
o Most labor in home and field, bear children, provide for family
o Poor, powerless, do household tasks at young age
Section 4: The Power of the Church
Church leaders and political leaders compete for power and authority
The Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
 The Structure of the Church
o Power within Church is organized by statues; pope is supreme authority
o Clergy – religious officials – includes bishops, priests, and others
o Bishops supervise priests, settle Church disputes
 Religion as a Unifying Force
o Religion important in Middle Ages; shared beliefs bond people
o Clergy administers the sacraments – rites to achieve salvation
o Village church is place of worship and celebration
 The Law of the Church
o The Church has system of justice to guide people’s conduct
o All medieval Christians expected to obey canon law – Church law
o Canon law governs over political leaders through threat of
 Excommunication – banishment from Church, denial of salvation
 Interdiction – king’s subjects denied sacraments and services
o Kings and emperors expected to obey pope’s commands
o
European Middle Ages (Ch. 13)
Section 1: Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
Invasions of Western Europe
 Effects of Constant Invasions and Warfare
o Germanic invaders overrun western __________________________________________________
o Fighting disrupts trade and government; ______________________________________________
o Marks the beginning of the _________________________period from ______________________
The Decline of Learning
o As cities are abandoned, level of ____________________________________________________
o Knowledge of Greek language and culture is almost completely lost
 Loss of a Common Language
o Introduction of German language changes Latin; ____________________________ develop (French and Spanish)
Germanic Kingdoms Emerge
 Years of Upheaval Between 400 and 600

o
________________________________________________________ replace Roman provinces
o
______________________________________________ change borders between kingdoms
o
The Church provides order and security

The Concept of Government Changes
o Germans held together by _____________________________________________, not government
o Small communities are governed by unwritten rules and traditions
o Germanic warriors pledge loyalty to their _______________________; live in lord’s hall
 Clovis Rules the Franks
o Germanic people called Franks hold power in Roman province of Gaul
o _______________________________, leader of the Franks, converts to Christianity in ________
o Leads warriors against other Germanic tribes
o Unites Franks into one kingdom with Church’s ______________________________________
Germans Adopt Christianity
 How the Church Spread
o Frankish rulers convert Germanic peoples to __________________________________________
o Missionaries travel to convert Germanic and Celtic groups
 Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts
o Church builds monasteries – ___________________________________________________________________

o Italian monk, Benedict, writes rules that govern ________________________________________
o His sister Scholastica adapts rules for nuns living in convents
o Monks establish schools, preserve learning through libraries
Papal power Expands Under Gregory I
o In 590, Gregory I, also called __________________________________________________________________
o
o
o
Under Gregory, church becomes secular – ________________________________________________________
Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman government
Uses Church money to raise armies, care for poor, negotiate treaties
o Establishes a _________________________________________ – churchly kingdom fanning out from Rome
An Empire Evolves
 Europe’s Kingdoms
o The Franks control largest and strongest of Europe’s many kingdoms
o By 511, Frankish rule extends over what is now France
 Charles Martel Emerges
o Most powerful official in kingdom is _________________________________________________
o
o
In 719, major domo ________________________________ becomes more powerful than the king
Defeats Muslims from Spain at Tours in 732; becomes a Christian hero
o Son, Pepin, begins __________________________________ Dynasty – family that ruled 751-987
Charlemagne Becomes Emperor
 Charlemagne Leads a Revival
o Charlemagne limits noble’s power by governing through royal agents

o Encourages learning and orders _____________________________________________________
Charlemagne’s Heirs
o
Charlemagne dies in 814; his son, Louis the Pious, ______________________________________
o
Louis’s _______________________________________________ fight for the control of empire
o In 843 they divide empire into three kingdoms; sign _____________________________________
Section 2: Feudalism in Europe
Invaders Attack Western Europe
 The Vikings Invade from the North
o Warlike Vikings raid Europe from Scandinavia – _________________________________________________
o Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland
o __________________________________________________________________________________________

Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South
o Magyars (Hungarian nomads) invade western __________________________________________
o Muslims strike north from Africa, attacking through Italy and Spain
o ____________________________________________________ invasions cause widespread disorder, suffering
A New Social Order: Feudalism
 Feudalism structures society
o 850 to 950,_______________________________________ emerges – political system ________
______________________________________________________________________________

o
A ___________________(landowner) gives ________________________ (land grants) in exchange for services
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Feudal Pyramid
o Power in feudal system much like a pyramid, __________________________________________
o Kings served by nobles who are served by knights; peasants at bottom
o

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Classes are well defined
o Medieval feudal system classifies people into 3 social groups


________________________________________________________________________
Those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church
o
 ________________________________________________________________________
Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasants
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
o Serfs aren’t _________________________________, but what they produce belongs to their lord
Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
 The Lord’s Estate
o The lord’s estate, _______________________________, has in economic system (manor system)
o Serfs and free peasants maintain the lord’s estate, give grain
o The lord provides housing, farmland, protection from bandits
 A Self-Contained World
o Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village
o

__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Harshness of Manor Life
o Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
o
o
o
o
Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds
Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy ____________________________________
Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan
Section 3: The Age of Chivalry
Knights: Warriors on Horseback
 The Technology of Warfare Changes
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

o In 700s, mounted knights become most important part of an army
The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society
o By 1000s, western Europe is a battleground of _________________________________________
o Feudal lords raise private armies of knights
o
Knights rewarded with land; _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
o Knights other activities help train them for combat
Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry

The Code of ________________________________________
o
By 1100s knights obey code of chivalry – _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
o
They are to protect the weak and poor; _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________


A Knight’s Training
o Boys begin to train for knighthood at age ________; usually knighted at ___________
o Knights gain experience in local wars and tournaments – mock battles
Brutal Reality of Warfare
o _______________________________________________________________________________
o Attacking armies use wide range of strategies and weapons
The Literature of Chivalry
 Epic Poetry
o Epic poems recount a hero’s deeds and adventures
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Love Poems and Songs
o Knights duties to ladies are as important as those to their lords
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
o Most celebrated woman of the age is _______________________________________________ (1122 – 1204)
o Eleanor’s son, ____________________________________________________, also wrote songs and poems
Women’s Role in Feudal Society
 Status of Women
o According to the Church and feudal society, women are _________________________________
 Noblewomen
o Can inherit land, defend castle, send knights to war on lord’s request

o Usually confined to activities of the __________________________________________________
Peasant Women
o Most labor in home and field, bear children, provide for family
o _______________________________________________________________________________
Section 4: The Power of the Church
The Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
 The Structure of the Church
o Power within Church is organized by statues; _______________________ is supreme authority
o
Clergy – religious officials – _______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________


o Bishops supervise priests, settle Church disputes
Religion as a Unifying Force
o Religion important in Middle Ages; shared beliefs bond people
o Clergy administers the ____________________________________ – rites to achieve salvation
o Village church is place of worship and celebration
The Law of the Church
o
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
o
o
All medieval Christians expected to obey _____________________________________________
Canon law governs over political leaders through threat of


_________________________________________ – banishment from Church, denial of salvation
Interdiction – ____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
o
Kings and emperors expected to obey pope’s commands